Table 2.
Summary of synthesised findings relating to mental health benefits of physical activity participation
| Qualitative | Quantitative | Synthesis | ||||
| Theme | Subtheme | Level of confidence in evidence for intervention type | Description of outcome and measurement tool | Outcome data | Level of confidence in evidence for intervention type | Overarching synthesised finding |
| Belief that physical activity facilitated people experiencing homelessness in self-development and their ability to cope with life situations | Confidence, empowerment and self-esteem | High (Group running,38 Soccer-group training and tournament participation,44 Indoor group instructor-led exercise36) Moderate (Earn-a-bike,48 Group outdoor adventure35) Low (Gardening group,47 Soccer-group training43) Very low (Group instructor-led dance31) |
No change to goal directed energy, measured using The Hope scale (agency subscale) | No significant difference between intervention and control groups | Moderate (Group outdoor adventure34) | High quality qualitative evidence that group running, soccer and indoor group exercise and moderate quality qualitative evidence that group outdoor adventure and Earn-a-bike enhance confidence, empowerment and self-esteem. However, quantitative evidence does not support this. |
| Resilience, coping and hope | High (Group running,38 Group outdoor adventure46) Moderate (Group outdoor adventure35) Low (Gardening group,47 Soccer-group training43) Very low (Group instructor-led dance31) |
No change to planning and accomplishing goals, measured using The Hope scale (pathway) | No significant difference between intervention and control groups | Moderate (Group outdoor adventure34) | High quality qualitative evidence that group running and group outdoor adventure enhances resilience, coping and hope, but quantitative evidence does not support this. | |
| Independence, focus, personal development and relationships | High (Group running,38 Soccer-group training and tournament participation44) Moderate (Group outdoor adventure,35 Earn-a-bike48) Low (Gardening group,47 Soccer-group training and tournament participation45) Very low (Group instructor-led dance31) |
Positive changes in life functioning, measured by (Outcomes rating scale), including interpersonal and social well-being | Significant difference between IG and CG for social wellness (p<0.01) | Moderate (Group outdoor adventure34) | High quality qualitative evidence that group running, and soccer and moderate quality qualitative evidence that group outdoor adventure and Earn-a-bike enhance independence, self-regulation and personal development. This is supported by moderate quality quantitative evidence that outdoor adventure improves life functioning. | |
| Belief that physical activity resulted in people experiencing homelessness feeling mentally better | Positive effect on stress and anxiety | High (Group running,38 Indoor group instructor-led exercise,36 Group outdoor adventure46) Moderate (Soccer-tournament participation,33 Earn-a-bike48) Low (Gardening group,47 Soccer-group training and tournament participation45) Very low (Group instructor-led dance31) |
Positive changes to flow and worry, measured by the Flow Kurtz Scala (Flow Short scale) | People who anticipated in soccer tournament scored highly for flow (5.5±0.8) whereas the score for worry was moderate (4.6±1.3) | Moderate (Soccer-tournament participation40) | High quality qualitative evidence that group running, indoor group exercise and outdoor adventure and moderate quality qualitative evidence that soccer and Earn-a-bike have a positive effect on stress and anxiety. This is not supported by quantitative evidence. |
| Decreased anxiety levels, measured by Beck Anxiety Inventory | A significant decrease in anxiety in intervention group, but p value not supplied | Low (Indoor group aerobic-based dance56 | ||||
| Positive effect on mood and state of mind | High (Group running,38 Soccer-group training and tournament participation,44 Indoor group instructor-led exercise,36 Group outdoor adventure46) Moderate (Earn-a-bike48) Low (Gardening group47) Very low (Group instructor-led dance31) |
Positive changes in life functioning, measured by (Outcomes rating scale), including personal and overall well-being | An increase in overall well-being at a faster rate in intervention group compared with control group (p<0.05) | Moderate (Group outdoor adventure34) | High quality qualitative evidence that group running, soccer and indoor group exercise and moderate quality qualitative evidence that Earn-a-bike enhances mood and state of mind. This is supported by moderate quality quantitative evidence that group outdoor adventure improves well-being. | |
| Decreased depression levels, measured by Beck Depression Inventory | Significant decrease in depression in intervention group, p value not supplied | Low (Indoor group aerobic-based dance56) | ||||
The impact of physical activity interventions on the mental health of PEH.
CG, control group; IG, intervention group; PEH, people experiencing homelessness.